Finding Happiness in God's Blessings

Month: July 2014

I’m a homebody. I didn’t use to be, but at some point I became one and I am more than okay with it. I may only be 25, but there is nothing about a night out at a bar that appeals to me… at all. I absolutely love the idea of curling up in bed, on my couch, outside with a good book. Well in the whirlwind that has been 2014 so far, I have not been reading. You would think with all the traveling we have been doing I’d be doing a lot of reading, but it’s quite the opposite. So after Paul and I got home from our anniversary weekend getaway last weekend, I told him, “Next weekend, I am doing nothing. I am going to read, and lay in bed and not move”. I did just that this weekend (along with some errands and hanging out with my sister’s adorable family), and it was awesome! In the last week, I had time to read 2 books and they were both awesome so I figured I would share, because if you’re like me you’re always looking for a good read!

So this book has been on my list to read for quite some time. I keep hearing about it on KLOVE, and last weekend when Paul and I ate at Cheesecake Factory in Jacksonville for our anniversary, it was only appropriate to stop at Barnes & Noble next door to browse. I ended up finding this book, and I’m so glad I did. This book is a compilation of short stories from different people and the everyday miracles God performs. I LOVED this book. It was a quick and easy read since each story is only 2-3 pages. They are interesting, and so many of them had me thinking “GOD IS GOOD!”. Not just that though, it also had me thinking about the events that have happened in my life and it made me think that more of it is God than I may have even considered in the past! I think it helped me realize what counts as a “miracle”. Some of the miracles are so small, and yet so huge. When we think miracles, we think turning water into wine or feeding the thousands! But this book just goes to show that God still performs miracles every single day. We just have to acknowledge them! I also discovered there is now a volume 2 and that may be on my list of things to read shortly!

This book was lent to me by my BFF via Nook and it was awesome. I finished it in 2 days. I laughed and cried during this book. It’s a romance novel that takes place in a small town where 5 boys go off to fight in the Iraq, and only 1 comes back. When the 1 boy comes back he is filled with heartache and self hate. The story is about how he overcomes his struggles and falls in love with a girl who is beautiful inside and out. During the story beautiful friendships are created, and they overcome so many obstacles for a small town and a close knit group of friends. Not only is it a good read, but it also includes pieces of scripture and has a Christian base in the story. It is an easy read that I couldn’t put down.

Hopefully I will be able to read more over the coming weeks, and I’ll share the good ones and even the not so good ones!

One year ago today, I married my best friend. I have loved you almost as long as I’ve known you you, but I love you more today than I did the day I married you.

The last year has had it’s challenges, but I can’t thank you enough for being my rock. Thank you for the nights we spend at home laughing and cuddling with each other. I will never get enough of your smile when your laughing. Thank you for forcing me to get out of the house and experience life. You help me get out of my comfort zone. Thank you for working so incredibly hard for us. You have no idea how proud of you I am. Thank you for the days when you clean the entire house for me by the time I get home. Thank you for never asking me why I’m crying when I’m PMSing, and just knowing when I need a hug.

You have been the biggest blessing in my life. You give me more grace than I deserve. You have strengthened my relationship with God more than you may ever know, and for that I cannot thank you enough.

You are the man I prayed for, and God brought you into my life when I least expected it. I love you so much and I am so glad I have forever to spend with you. You have my whole heart for my whole life. Happy Anniversary my love!

I cannot believe that this weekend is Paul and I’s first anniversary!! This year has flown by, and I cannot help but reminisce on our wedding day.

I remember waking up to pouring rain, and unable to fall back asleep so I left the hotel to go buy breakfast for my amazing bridesmaids. I remember thinking all morning that the rain wouldn’t stop in time, and trying to tell myself that it didn’t matter. I remember being completely bummed when the florist brought pink bouquets for our purple and gray wedding. I kept telling myself that regardless of what happened, I would be Mrs. Millard at the end of the day and that is all that really mattered. I remember my family and friends going above and beyond to make my dream wedding come through. Rain or shine they would make it perfect.

I remember being so nervous to see Paul, and as soon as I saw him my nerves went away and the excitement came. I remember thinking I was crazy for planning a wedding in July, in Florida… AKA rainy, humid, hot season. I remember taking pictures all over the plantation, and being surrounded by little gnats. Paul kept ruining pictures by swatting them away, and when I was trying to be sweet and let Paul know I would keep the bugs out of his face I made a comment along the lines of, “Stop babe, I’ll blow you”, it came off completely inappropriate sounding and Paul and I died laughing with our photographers which resulted in this picture that I love.

I remember the clouds clearing just in time for pictures. I remember getting overwhelmed with emotions when I saw my daddy through the window. I remember the chaos of starting the ceremony about 15 minutes early to beat the huge storm rolling in, and briefly turning into a bridezilla hoping we would beat the rain! I remember walking down the aisle linked arm and arm to my daddy as he gave me away to the man of my dreams.

I remember taking communion during our wedding, at which point my dad said, “Now would be a good time to put Paul’s ring on the right finger”, and I almost spit out my drink everywhere. I remember being comforted by Pastor David marrying us. I remember getting to kiss my husband for the very first time, and celebrating late into the night with family and friends.

Now Paul in just a moment, I’m going to invite you to kiss the bride. This is not an ordinary kiss, Paul. This is the first time that you’ll ever kiss your wife… Make it count. Paul you may kiss the bride.

It was the most chaotic day, and so incredibly perfect at the same time. I am so glad Paul and I decided to hire the videographers, because it is by far one of the best ways we have to remember our wedding!

Yesterday Paul and I went scalloping with some friends, and after we got home we just relaxed and watched tv together. All the sudden Paul goes, “I don’t remember the last time we did something on a Saturday night and I love it. We just relax and then wake up for church in the morning.”

For the last few years I’ve really wanted to be in shape and be the “fit” girl. Not just skinny… fit. This probably comes from the fact that growing up, I never had to workout to maintain my body or even pay attention to it. I was dancing so often, that I was just in shape without even realizing it. When I quit I never paid attention to what I was eating or even thought about working out, because it was never something I had to think about. So in college it caught up with me quickly, it literally felt like it happened over night. I just woke up one day hating the way I looked and how I felt. It has since been a battle of self-hate and insecurity. I am an average girl and there isn’t anything wrong with that… but I want to be healthy and look healthy.

Over the years I’ve gone through phases of really focusing on my eating and working out. At one point I had a personal trainer and was clean eating. I lost about 12 lbs and my body was toning up and I was ecstatic. I felt amazing and my trainer actually nicknamed me “the monster” because I was focused, determined, and serious about my lifestyle. Then Paul and I got engaged and I fell off the wagon. I’m what you call a stress-eater and/or emotional eater. It’s hard to describe it, but when I’m stressed I literally crave sweets and terrible for you food. I lose all self control and will power. I can’t seem to stop eating. So after we got engaged, I ruined all the progress I’d been making and went back to my regular weight. The complete opposite of what happens to most brides to be.

Earlier this year I got back into it and was extremely motivated. I started Insanity and saw crazy results within the first two weeks. I was thrilled and loved it. I did not miss a day of the workouts even though I was traveling like crazy and working two jobs. I was up at 5am to fit workouts in and working out in hotel rooms. I even had plans for after I completed the program. I bought FocusT25 and was going to start right after I finished Insanity and not skip a beat. My hopes of being the “fit” girl were once again in my reach. Then I stopped 57 days into the 63 day program… Seriously? What a quitter. The last month of the program I was in serious pain from my knees and the workouts were killing me – not because I couldn’t do them. I was actually really proud of the strength I gained during that program, but because EVERY movement killed my knees. Afterwards, I would limp around and my knees constantly ached. So for the last two months I’ve eaten everything in sight and not worked out. I again ruined all my progress that I made.

It seems like the 2 month mark is my downfall. I rock it out for about 2 months and I get excited and proud of myself and then I become my own worst enemy and ruin it. So Paul and I decided to do it together this time. We will eat healthy. We will work out. We will support each other… and say no to each other when we ask for our usual cravings of brownies, blizzards, and donuts. (I never liked brownies – I blame Paul for that. He never liked sweets – He blames me for that… we’re even!) I started T25 and he’s back in the gym. We are also taking walks each night with our dogs, because they need the exercise too. We will go on runs together and maybe one day I can convince him to do stadiums with me. Our meals will consist of lean protein, veggies and fruits. Clean eating at it’s finest.

So we are back on the wagon, and hopefully this time we won’t fall off. This time I’m going to make it past 2 months. Wish us luck!

After the wedding Paul and I went to in St. Petersburg we packed up and hit the road back to Tallahasse, but only long enough to pack for the week and pick up our “children”. Then we headed to Virginia to spend the week with his family. After a total of about 15 hours we made it around 3:30am!

Paul’s parents live on a gorgeous lake, but I’ve never actually been able to experience the fun of living on a lake. Every time we seem to visit it is FREEZING… at least it’s freezing for this Florida girl! Last year we planned to go up for the 4th of July so this trip was a LONG time coming!!

Not only did we have a blast at the lake, but our dogs did too… Laila really needs to live at the lake because she is so incredibly obsessed with it. You can’t keep her out of the water! Even Brody and Daisy love the lake… not so much the swimming aspect, but the amount of room they have to roam around! They just chase each other around the backyard and scope out the area. The first time we went up there I was terrified they would run away, but I think with that much room to run they are afraid to roam too far away so it is kind of perfect!

We squeezed in a super quick trip to Petersburg to visit a long time friend of Paul’s that I know all about but we only met briefly during our wedding. It was great to actually get to talk to Daniel, his girlfriend, Laura, and their adorable son, Mike – even though I felt like I already knew them from Paul and Facebook. Then we rushed back to make it in time to a baseball game where his brother coaches. (PS can we look at how good Paul looks with a baby?! :))

We spent the 4th of July on the lake and then headed to a BBQ and a great spot to watch fireworks… and I took zero pictures. It was a great week and I love going to visit his our family. I’ve been lucky enough to not only be blessed with a great husband, but great in-laws who have welcomed me into their family with open arms and I can’t thank them for it enough!

This past weekend, Paul and I headed to St. Petersburg for a wedding that Paul was in. One of his first friends from when he moved to Tallahassee was getting married. The wedding was beautiful and the reception was a blast. The bride could not have looked more beautiful if she tried. She looked flawless and her dress was gorgeous. The groom was excited and emotional and you could see their love for each other radiating.

It’s amazing how my appreciation for weddings have grown since getting married last year. Not just because I now know how much planning the couple bride did to prepare for the big day, but because I can’t help but relive my own wedding day.

During this wedding and reception I couldn’t help but look at Paul and fall in love with him all over again. As our first year of marriage comes to a close this month, I cannot thank God enough for bringing Paul into my life. This first year of marriage has been many things, but it has also been one of the most amazing years of my life. I mean who wouldn’t love this guy…

Ignore the 12 year old running through the picture and making this appear inappropriate

The reception was so much fun, and it was amazing to see how happy everyone was. It was a great night had by all from the boys traditional “Wonderwall” swaying, to YT’s rap (you an see the actual music video here – yes my husband is the masked Richard Nixon), to the dancing. One of my favorite parts was to see so many couples who can be surrounded by people, and yet completely in their own world. So in love, and so happy! Paul and I have bets on who may be the next ones to walk down the aisle 🙂

Weddings are exciting. They are by far one of the biggest moments in a couples life, and you are there to witness their commitment to each other and to support them on their journey through life together. Thank you to the newlyweds, Mr. and Mrs. Chris Sands for letting us be part of your special day. We wish you nothing but happiness!!